Skip to main content
CaralogyCaralogy
HomeBrandsRoad TripBudgetDuelGuides
Caralogy

The car comparison platform. Physics simulation, road trips, real costs.

Navigation
All brandsCar duelRunning costsMotorwayMethodology
Simulators
Motorway simulatorRunning costsPerformance duel
Brands
VolkswagenBMWMercedesToyotaTeslaAudi
FRENDEESIT
© 2026 Caralogy · All rights reserved
  1. Home
  2. /Duel
  3. /Sedans
A9PHEVvsB218iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs9 · 218i

DS9 E-Tense 250 vs BMW 218i Coupé G42: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

grand tourer · 2021 vs 2022 · Methodology
DSPHEVFaster

9 E-Tense 250

253 hp · 520 Nm · 1,900 kg · 2021

VS
BMWPetrol

218i Coupé G42

156 hp · 250 Nm · 1,485 kg · 2022

Result · 0–100 km/h

ADS9 E-Tense 250

8.36 s

Gap0.29 sin favour of 9 E-Tense 250
BBMW 218i Coupé G42

8.65 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure9 E-Tense 250218i Coupé G42Gap
0–100 km/h8.36 s8.65 s0.29 s · 9 E-Tense 250
400 m standing start16.22 s16.29 s0.07 s · 9 E-Tense 250
1,000 m standing start28.57 s29.82 s1.25 s · 9 E-Tense 250
Top speed (electronically limited)235 km/h222 km/h13 km/h · 9 E-Tense 250
Power-to-weight ratio7.51 kg/hp9.52 kg/hpbetter ratio · 9 E-Tense 250

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

DSPHEV9 E-Tense 250
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol218i Coupé G42
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage9 E-Tense 250218i Coupé G42
0–30 km/h2.40 s1.72 s
0–50 km/h4.01 s3.00 s
0–80 km/h6.47 s5.92 s
0–100 km/h8.36 s8.65 s
0–120 km/h10.88 s12.14 s
0–160 km/h18.12 s22.81 s
0–200 km/h31.70 s46.33 s
400 m standing start16.22 s · tight gap16.29 s
1,000 m standing start28.57 s29.82 s
Top speed235 km/h222 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

DS

9 E-Tense 250

7,51kg/hpratio better by 2,01 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power253 hpPending
Torque520 Nm
Weight1 900 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed automatic
BMW

218i Coupé G42

9,52kg/hpcompensated by −415 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power156 hpPending
Torque250 Nm
Weight1 485 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 9 E-Tense 250 hits 100 km/h in 8.36 s versus 8.65 s for the 218i Coupé. The instant torque of 520 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 218i Coupé is 16 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 218i Coupé is doing 112 km/h against 121 km/h for the 9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 0.41 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 9 E-Tense 250 crosses the line in 16.22 s versus 16.29 s. The 0.07 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 9 E-Tense 250 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 170 km/h versus 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 9 E-Tense 250 finishes in 28.57 s versus 29.82 s, with a 1.25 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (235 vs 222 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 224 km/h, the 218i Coupé never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.27 seconds. The 0.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

DS9VSBMW

E-Tense 250 vs 530e iPerformance

BMWVSAudi

218i Coupé vs A3 allstreet

DS9VSBMW

E-Tense 250 vs 530e iPerformance

BMWVSAudi

218i Coupé vs A3 allstreet

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 9 E-Tense 250 wins (8,36 s vs 8,65 s).

9 E-Tense 250 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,36 seconds (calibrated simulation).

9 E-Tense 250: 253 hp, ratio 7,51 kg/hp. 218i Coupé G42: 156 hp, ratio 9,52 kg/hp.

9 E-Tense 250: 235 km/h. 218i Coupé G42: 222 km/h.